Graffiti vandals return, with D.C. theme

Fitchburg police: '202' marks show possible Washington connection

FITCHBURG -- Have graffiti vandals moved to the city from the Washington, D.C. area?

Recent tagging at Monument Park and other areas in the city -- following a nearly year-and-a-half-long respite from noticeable spray-painted graffiti -- seem to suggest that may be the case.

One of the phrases found earlier this month painted onto the steps leading up to the Civil War monument states, "D.C. we out here." Another tagging at JV's Package & Variety Store, found around the same time and in the same red paint, says "202," the area code for the nation's capital.

Or, Police Chief Robert DeMoura says, it could be some mischievous local youngsters who are trying to affiliate themselves with the D.C. area. He called the graffiti in Monument Park "willful, malicious damage."

There's also a Latin Kings theme that has developed out of the recent rash of graffiti, with several locations on Lunenburg and Lincoln streets being tagged with pictures of crowns and the letters "LK" during December and November.

DeMoura, while concerned with the spike in graffiti in general, says the gang-related tagging doesn't necessarily mean that citizens should be worried that gang violence will follow.

"Graffiti typically doesn't associate with the violent criminal gangs, such as the Latin Kings or the Bloods," he said. "Even though some of this graffiti is Latin King-related, it's very clear from us doing long-term investigations that the true members of these gangs are not out there graffiti-ing something.

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Usually it's the kids that are wannabes."

He said school resource officers have spoken to a number of kids at the middle and high schools to gather information and possible suspects.

One arrest has been made recently. Daniel P. Mallard, 21, of Phillipston, was arrested on Jan. 20 for tagging a Summer Street brick wall after admitting to the crime, according to court documents. Judge Margaret Guzman held Mallard's arraignment date from Jan. 22 to Feb. 26, allowing him a month to complete 10 hours of community service in order to have the charge dismissed.

"That never became a part of the discussion from the probation department there, which would be in charge of that, to us," DeMoura said. "I think that communication absolutely needs to happen, because I don't know if the judges or clerks realize the extent of what the problem is out there."

In the same general area where Mallard was caught, multiple taggings have occurred, he said, some over the past week. On Culley Street, off of Lunenburg Street, several vehicles were tagged with profanities, damaging their exteriors, DeMoura said.

"We're very concerned about the increasing number, potentially, of individuals that are doing this," he said. "That's why it's so important that if we make an arrest, that the courts look at this as an egregious act and handle it accordingly, versus just allowing someone to do community service, because I'm not sure what that community service would represent."

DeMoura said it's tough to apprehend those that tag, because typically they're simply walking down the street and wait until they believe no one is around to see them in the act. With bulky winter coats, they're more able to hide spray-paint cans and other items used for graffiti than at other times of the year, he said, and they're able to use the early darkness to their advantage. Plus, as soon as they hear a vehicle approach -- and police this time of year are mostly patrolling in cars due to cold weather -- they run down the street or into an alley and out of view, DeMoura said.

He's asking the community to be on the lookout for anything or anyone they find to be suspicious, to help police find the perpetrators. That could simply be looking out the window for 10 minutes and reporting anyone they may see with a spray-paint can or related items, DeMoura said, or any youngsters they see buying several spray-paint cans in a store. For parents, that could mean talking to their children to find out if any classmates have mentioned anything about tagging or spray-painting, he said.

Tips can be forwarded anonymously to the Fitchburg Police Department online at www.fitchburgpolice.com, or can be reported by calling 978-345-4355 or 978-345-9648.

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